Nikola Tesla Books
144 HIGH FREQUENCY APPARATUS There are several methods by which plant life may be stimulated with the electric current and, in treating of the subject, the author will outline these methods briefly in order that the detailed descriptions of the equipment necessary in each particular case may be made clear. The construction of the apparatus involved will then be covered and it will be optional with the experimenter whether he constructs his apparatus or buys certain parts of it readymade from manufacturers. The latter course is desirable in many instances as many instruments are rather difficult of construction and can be purchased ready for use almost as cheaply as they can be made in the home workshop. Electroculture Methods.-The methods by means of which plant life may be stimulated with the electric current may be divided broadly under two headings: One, in which the rays from an electric lamp are permitted to fall upon the area under cultivation, and the other, that in which a high potential current is sent through a network of wires stretched over the plot of ground. This latter method may be further subdivided into two basic headings: One in which a high tension direct or low frequency alternating current is sent through the wires and, the other, that which employs a high potential, high frequency current. The former is simpler and productive of very good results; the latter is the more effective and, in some cases its results have been spectacular. Merely because the high tension discharge method was productive of the most encouraging results in the personal experience of the author this method will be discussed first of all. It is not claimed that this is the right or even the logical method; it simply "worked" where others failed in the case of one individual investigator who is naturally prejudiced thereby. The subject under investigation was a bed of lettuce,
